Quick answers: healthcare in Spain
- How much does health insurance cost in Spain for expats?
- Indicative international health insurance for a 32-year-old living in Spain (inpatient and outpatient, mid-level plan, worldwide excluding the USA) typically costs £215 to £321 a month, with a median of £275 and the cheapest at £164, based on 13 plan quotes from the 14 insurers on our panel, taken in 2026-09. Your price depends on your age, medical history, plan and deductible, and is only confirmed by the insurer.
- How much does expat health insurance cost by age in Spain?
- Indicative median monthly premiums in Spain (inpatient and outpatient, mid-level plan, worldwide excluding the USA): age 25 US$240, age 35 US$341, age 45 US$433, age 55 US$693, age 65 US$1,151. Quotes taken 2026-09; the insurer confirms the final price. Shown in US$. Other HealthiNomad prices are in GBP.
- Do foreigners need health insurance in Spain?
- It depends on the visa. Tourists: UK and EU visitors need a GHIC or EHIC for medically necessary state care. Digital nomad visa (international telework): Public or private health insurance with an insurer authorised to operate in Spain (listed with the Dirección General de Seguros y Fondos de Pensiones), kept active for the whole authorisation. Non-lucrative residence: Public or private health insurance with an insurer authorised to operate in Spain, covering all risks covered by the national health system, with no waiting periods, exclusions, co-payments or coverage limits. Students: Health insurance, not travel insurance, from an insurer authorised to operate in Spain, covering the full national health system portfolio with no deductible, co-payment or coverage limit. Countries that require travel insurance to enter
- Can foreigners use public healthcare in Spain?
- Visitors from the UK and EU can get medically necessary state care with a GHIC or EHIC. Other foreign residents who are not covered through Social Security can join the public system through a regional Convenio Especial once they have lived in Spain or another EU/EEA country for a continuous year. It costs 60 EUR a month under 65 and 157 EUR a month from 65, and outpatient prescriptions are paid 100% by the patient. For the international telework visa, public cover can also be shown through a Convenio Especial with the region where you are registered, or through a certificate of entitlement from a country with a social security coordination agreement.
- Do hospitals in Spain ask foreigners to pay upfront?
- Yes, for self-pay patients. Hospital Universitario Quirónsalud Madrid asks private patients to pay the full accepted quote, or show a bank transfer for it, when they are admitted, preferably by card, and to top up the deposit if extra tests or a longer stay add costs. Insured patients bring their insurer's authorisation. GHIC and EHIC cards are not accepted at private facilities, and the US State Department warns that most providers do not accept US insurance and that even public care is charged.
- What is the emergency number in Spain?
- Call 112 for an ambulance in Spain.
What health insurance costs in Spain (indicative)
These are indicative prices, based on 13 plan quotes from the 14 international insurers on our panel, for one standard profile: a 32-year-old living in Spain, inpatient and outpatient cover, mid-level plan, worldwide excluding the USA. The typical monthly price is £215 to £321, with a median of £275 and the cheapest at £164. Your actual price depends on your age, medical history, the plan, your deductible and where you want cover, and is only confirmed by the insurer. Snapshot 2026-09-24. See the Health Insurance Cost Index.
Indicative prices: the 5 lowest of 13 plan quotes, monthly in GBP, cheapest mid-level plan in each insurer's range. Quotes taken 2026-09-24.
See the figures
| Age | Cheapest | Median | Higher end | Plans quoted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | US$154 | US$240 | US$331 | 14 |
| 35 | US$217 | US$341 | US$384 | 14 |
| 45 | US$263 | US$433 | US$527 | 14 |
| 55 | US$342 | US$693 | US$732 | 14 |
| 65 | US$513 | US$1,151 | US$1,388 | 13 |
Indicative. Single adult, inpatient and outpatient, cheapest mid-level plan per insurer, worldwide excluding the USA. Quotes taken 2026-09-29. The insurer confirms the final price. Shown in US$. Other HealthiNomad prices are in GBP.
How healthcare works for expats
Spain has a national health system run by the regional health services, and it covers people who are registered with Social Security or entitled to care through it. Expats and nomads who are not in that system use private groups such as Quirónsalud, HM Hospitales, Vithas and Sanitas, which also sell consultations, scans and fixed-price procedures to people without insurance. Every main non-EU residence route (international telework, non-lucrative and student) requires health insurance from an insurer authorised to operate in Spain, so most non-EU residents hold private cover at least in their first year.
Public care and state schemes
Visitors from the UK and EU can get medically necessary state care with a GHIC or EHIC. Other foreign residents who are not covered through Social Security can join the public system through a regional Convenio Especial once they have lived in Spain or another EU/EEA country for a continuous year. It costs 60 EUR a month under 65 and 157 EUR a month from 65, and outpatient prescriptions are paid 100% by the patient. For the international telework visa, public cover can also be shown through a Convenio Especial with the region where you are registered, or through a certificate of entitlement from a country with a social security coordination agreement.
Private hospitals
Quirónsalud, HM Hospitales, Vithas and Sanitas (La Zarzuela, Blua Valdebebas) are the main private groups in Madrid and Barcelona. Admission for insured patients runs on insurer authorisations. Uninsured patients can buy fixed prices directly: Sanitas and e-Quirónsalud each sell consultations for 70 EUR, and Operarme (Grupo Caser) sells all-inclusive surgical and maternity packages at named private hospitals.
Paying up front
Yes, for self-pay patients. Hospital Universitario Quirónsalud Madrid asks private patients to pay the full accepted quote, or show a bank transfer for it, when they are admitted, preferably by card, and to top up the deposit if extra tests or a longer stay add costs. Insured patients bring their insurer's authorisation. GHIC and EHIC cards are not accepted at private facilities, and the US State Department warns that most providers do not accept US insurance and that even public care is charged.
Typical medical costs in Spain
Published prices, mostly from private hospitals. Pound figures are approximate conversions.
| Treatment | Price | About |
|---|---|---|
| GP consultation, Sanitas centres (self-pay, in person or video)8 Madrid and Barcelona, per visit | €70 | £60 |
| Specialist consultation, any specialty, e-Quirónsalud (booked online, self-pay)7 Madrid, per visit | €70 | £60 |
| MRI, joint or bone, without contrast, Sanitas (from price; contrast is billed separately)9 Madrid, per scan | €190 | £163 |
| Colonoscopy with sedation (Sanitas from 460; Operarme fixed price at Hospital Beata María Ana 790; pathology not included)10,11 Madrid, per procedure | €460 to €790 | £396 to £680 |
| Colonoscopy with sedation (Sanitas from 460; Operarme fixed price at Clínica Creu Blanca 790; pathology not included)10,12 Barcelona, per procedure | €460 to €790 | £396 to £680 |
| Open inguinal hernia repair, Hospital Beata María Ana via Operarme (all-inclusive, 1 to 2 nights private room)13 Madrid, per package | €3,190 | £2,745 |
| Normal birth plus third-trimester follow-up, Operarme (Grupo Caser) national package (epidural, 2 nights private room)14 Nationwide, per package | €4,950 | £4,259 |
| Caesarean section package, Clínica Diagonal (4 days in hospital, fees and anaesthesia included; ClinicPoint price vs list price)15 Barcelona, per package | €5,329 to €8,720 | £4,585 to £7,503 |
| Dental hygiene cleaning, Sanitas Dental (non-member price; check-up and diagnosis 21.90)16 Nationwide, per visit | €54 | £46 |
Health insurance rules for foreigners
Tourists
UK and EU visitors need a GHIC or EHIC for medically necessary state care. The card is not accepted in private facilities and does not replace travel insurance, which is needed for costs such as repatriation and non-urgent treatment.18
Digital nomad visa (international telework)
Public or private health insurance with an insurer authorised to operate in Spain (listed with the Dirección General de Seguros y Fondos de Pensiones), kept active for the whole authorisation. Travel insurance is not valid. Alternatives are a Convenio Especial with the region, or a certificate of entitlement under a social security coordination agreement.4,5
Non-lucrative residence
Public or private health insurance with an insurer authorised to operate in Spain, covering all risks covered by the national health system, with no waiting periods, exclusions, co-payments or coverage limits. Travel insurance is not accepted, and an insurance card alone is not proof of cover.3
Students
Health insurance, not travel insurance, from an insurer authorised to operate in Spain, covering the full national health system portfolio with no deductible, co-payment or coverage limit. Repatriation cover is not required.6
Tips before you buy cover
- For a telework, non-lucrative or student visa, buy the policy from an insurer authorised to operate in Spain; travel insurance is rejected for all three.
- Non-lucrative and student applicants need a policy with no co-payments, deductibles, waiting periods or limits, so check the policy wording before you buy.
- The Convenio Especial (60 EUR a month under 65) only opens after a year of residence and does not pay for outpatient prescriptions, so plan for private cover until then.
- If you are admitted to a private hospital without insurance, expect to pay the quoted amount up front and top it up if the stay runs longer. With insurance, get the insurer's authorisation before admission.
- Fixed-price packages exclude some items: colonoscopy prices leave out pathology on polyps, and Sanitas MRI prices leave out contrast, so confirm what is included before booking.
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Sources
- 1.Convenio especial de prestación de asistencia sanitaria, Comunidad de Madrid (2024-12)
- 2.Convenio especial de prestación de asistencia sanitaria, Ministerio de Sanidad (2026)
- 3.Visados Nacionales: Visado de residencia no lucrativa, Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, UE y Cooperación (2026)
- 4.Visado de residencia por teletrabajo de carácter internacional (requisitos), Consulado General de España en Buenos Aires (2023-04)
- 5.Visado de teletrabajo de carácter internacional, Consulado General de España en Moscú (2023-05)
- 6.Visados Nacionales: Visado de estudios, Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, UE y Cooperación (2026)
- 7.Especialidades médicas: pide tu consulta, Quirónsalud (e-Quirónsalud) (2026)
- 8.Consulta Medicina General precio 70€, Sanitas (2026)
- 9.Resonancia Magnética desde 190€, Sanitas (2026)
- 10.Colonoscopia precio desde 460€ con sedación, Sanitas (2026)
- 11.Colonoscopy in Madrid, Operarme (Grupo Caser) (2026)
- 12.Colonoscopy in Barcelona, Operarme (Grupo Caser) (2026)
- 13.Inguinal Hernia Surgery (Open) in Madrid, Operarme (Grupo Caser) (2026)
- 14.Parto Normal y Seguimiento del 3º Trimestre de Embarazo, Operarme (Grupo Caser) (2026)
- 15.Atención al parto por cesárea en Barcelona, Clínica Diagonal, ClinicPoint (2026)
- 16.Listado de precios de tratamientos dentales, Sanitas Dental (2026)
- 17.Ingresos: información general, Hospital Universitario Quirónsalud Madrid (2026)
- 18.Spain travel advice: Health, UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (2026-08)
- 19.Spain International Travel Information, US Department of State (2025-08)
- 20.Euro foreign exchange reference rates: Pound sterling (GBP), European Central Bank (2026-09)
Costs and rules change. Always check with the hospital, the insurer or the relevant authority before relying on a figure.